Leetsdale Posts Amended 2012 Budget

Leetsdale officials have posted an amended version of the on the front door of the borough building.

Council President Joseph McGurk said the budget changes must be posted at least 10 days before adopting to give the public a chance to view the document. The $2.13 million amended budget has been posted since Jan. 25, officials said.

In December, the previous council approved a $2.162 million budget for 2012 without a  increase. The current council decided to reopen the budget after a majority of the board in January. The new council members also are taking government classes in order to improve their knowledge. 

“Back in October and November when the previous group was doing the budget, they didn’t transition us into the budget,” McGurk said at last month's council meeting. ”As a result, we reopened the budget because we weren’t involved in the budget, which is serving our first year.”

The new budget committee planned to meet to go in depth through the plan in order to determine if things could be cut or reorganized, Councilwoman Melanie Dunn said last month.

McGurk said council plans to discuss the changes in public during the workshop meeting Tuesday night. The revised spending plan will be voted upon Wednesday night at the regular meeting, he said.

The amended budget must be adopted by Feb. 15.

“We expect no changes, but you never know,” McGurk said.

Some of the most notable changes are the elimination of salaries set aside for junior clerk and borough manager. Both positions were when the new council took over.

McGurk said $44,000 was designated to the fire department to use as necessary. Another $26,400 was set aside in a capital improvement fund with the hope that in the future the fund will build up to cover equipment necessities or construction projects, he said.

The public is invited to view the copy on the door or go to the borough office to request a copy.